The Elite Recruiter Awards and Latest Episodes

Latest Episodes: How a Candidate-First Strategy Built a $1.5M Recruiting Firm, How Elite Recruiters Win Clients in 2026 (AI + BD), Why Top Recruiters Win Clients Without Selling

Check out the winners of The Elite Recruiter Awards - Voted on by your peers

Sales and BD Summit starts in 2 weeks! - Register NOW! 

The Sales & Business Development Recruiter Summit kicks off Jan 26 — and it’s 100% free to attend live. Join 30+ expert speakers as they reveal the exact tactics behind landing more clients, closing bigger deals, and scaling faster in 2026. If you’re serious about increasing billings, this is your blueprint. - https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/

Elite Recruiter Community has launched

Recruiters rarely have a place to learn, share and grow together. That’s why I created the Elite Recruiter Community. As a member, you’ll get:

  • Unlimited replays of our AI Recruiting, Finish the Year Strong and Sales & BD summits.

  • Bi‑weekly live roundtables covering billing strategies, sourcing, business development and more.

  • Access to our Billers’ Club and split board – stay accountable and partner on deals.

  • A trusted network of peers who understand your challenges.

👉 Pricing is $49/month.

LATEST EPISODES:

How a Candidate-First Strategy Built a $1.5M Recruiting Firm

Hey Elite Recruiters,

Want a proven blueprint for recruiting success? This week’s podcast episode features Sarah Englade of Monarch Talent Solutions we pulled this out of the Elite Recruiter Community Library to share before she speaks at the Sales and BD Summit coming up. Make sure to sign up to watch her live. In this episode she is sharing how she built a $1.5M firm by putting candidates first—even when she had zero book of business.

Top Takeaways:

1. Niche Smart, Brand Bold Sarah picked a focused market—senior & C-level direct hires in Houston oil & gas/manufacturing—and built her reputation by consistently creating helpful content for local hiring managers and candidates.

2. Candidate-First Wins She started by helping job seekers for free (resume tips, LinkedIn fixes, interview prep). Many returned as clients when they became hiring managers. Katie’s advice: Prioritize relationships, not just transactions.

3. Structure = Success Discipline and metrics drove her growth. Her “5-3-1” method (targeting 5 companies/day, adding 3 new contacts each, setting 1 action) helped build her book of business—no shortcuts, just daily consistency.

4. Tech & Mindset Matter Sarah invested in a simple tech stack, but says nothing beats building real relationships. Stay aggressively patient, ignore “overnight success” myths, and focus on your own goals.

Bonus: Read “Profit First” to stay financially savvy when the big checks arrive!

Don’t miss: Register for the Sales & BD Summit, connect with Sarah Englade on LinkedIn, and listen for more candidate-first strategies.

Let’s make 2026 your breakout year!


Elite Recruiter Podcast Team

Enjoyed the episode? Hit subscribe & share with a friend!

🎧 Listen: 

Spotify: Link

Apple Podcast: Link

YouTube: Link

Episode Sponsors!

Atlas combines your ATS and CRM in a single, AI-powered platform. Try it free or book a demo →https://recruitwithatlas.com/

🚀 Pin – AI Recruiting Assistant: Your 24/7 AI for sourcing, outreach, scheduling, and screening. Demo Now: https://www.pin.com/

How Elite Recruiters Win Clients in 2026 (AI + BD)

2026 is here and the game has changed! Our latest episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast with Benjamin Mena and guest David Stephen Patterson (DSP) delivers the insider playbook for winning clients and staying ahead as the market gets crowded and AI shakes things up.

🏅 Key Takeaways:

Be Radically Different.
In a sea of sameness, generic recruiter outreach is dead. Infuse your personality and take a stand. Video, podcasts, and bold content set you apart—think the “Three E’s”: Entertain, Educate, Elevate.

AI Is Eating the Middle.
AI will handle commodity recruiting. To survive (and thrive), use AI tools (Atlas, Lead Engine, JuiceBox) to support your workflow, but double down on personalized, human connection—calls, video messages, and tailored content.

White Glove Service Wins.
Move beyond transactional. Provide scorecards, extended guarantees, consultative advice, and make your clients’ lives easier at every touchpoint.

Master Lead Flow & Authority.
The recruiters with the strongest pipeline and most visible authority are winning, even in tough markets. Stay in regular contact. Build thought leadership. Don't be a "secret agent” recruiter.

Play The Long Game.
Short-term tactics aren’t enough. Being consistent, continually learning, and pushing through discomfort (calls, video, new tech) is how elite recruiters dominate.

🚀 Quick Action Steps:

  • Commit to monthly outreach (calls, email, LinkedIn)

  • Start sharing your expertise in your own voice (yes, on video)

  • Attend the Recruiter BD Summit on January 26, 2026

  • Join DSP’s group for more resources

This year, let’s make sure you are not just another recruiter—but the recruiter clients think of first.

Episode Sponsors:

Atlas combines your ATS and CRM in a single, AI-powered platform. Try it free or book a demo →https://recruitwithatlas.com/

Check out the full interview!

Spotify: Link

Apple Podcast: Link

YouTube: Link

Why Top Recruiters Win Clients Without Selling

Why Top Recruiters Win Clients Without Selling

Here’s your quick dose of inspiration from the latest Elite Recruiter Podcast episode: “Why Top Recruiters Win Clients Without Selling,” with guest Katharine Wilcox.

Top Takeaways

1. Relationships Over Selling Both Katharine Wilcox and Benjamin Mena highlight that real business development happens when you build genuine relationships. Every conversation is a chance to serve, whether they’re a potential client or candidate.

2. Local Market MattersKatharine Wilcox’s success in Atlanta shows that deep, local knowledge builds trust and repeat business—sometimes more so than national outreach.

3. Hustle with Purpose Show up with energy and focus. Block time for calls, connect authentically, and the business will come.

4. Be a Talent Agent Don’t just fill jobs—be an advocate, a connector, and a trusted advisor for your candidates and clients.

Ready to win your clients by serving, not selling?
Listen now and join our community for more tips!

Episode Sponsors:

Atlas combines your ATS and CRM in a single, AI-powered platform. Try it free or book a demo →https://recruitwithatlas.com/

Check out the full interview!

Spotify: Link

Apple Podcast: Link

YouTube: Link

📈TRENDING TOPICS and THINGS I AM CURIOUS ABOUT

📲Recruiting Tools:

❓Thought of the week - Check out who you guys voted for in The Elite Recruiter Awards - https://www.eliterecruiterpodcast.com/blog/elite-recruiter-awards/ 

Ready to Level Up?

Ready to Grow Your Recruiting Revenue in 2026? - Register NOW! 

The Sales & Business Development Recruiter Summit kicks off Jan 26 — and it’s 100% free to attend live. Join 30+ expert speakers as they reveal the exact tactics behind landing more clients, closing bigger deals, and scaling faster in 2026. If you’re serious about increasing billings, this is your blueprint. - https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/

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